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Objective

"The central objective of the present proposal is to improve our understanding of quantum phase transitions and related emergence of novel quantum phases, such as unconventional superconductivity or Bose-Einstein condensation of magnetic excitations observed in heavy fermion compounds, quantum spin systems, and antiferromagneti molecular wheels.

The proposed project will address this matter via an experimental study of the low-temperature thermodynamic properties of ferromagnetic superconductors URhGe and UCoGe, magnetic insulators SrCu2(BO3)2 and BiCu2PO6, and molecular nanomagnets Fe18 and Mn-[3x3]. In all cases, high magnetic field will act as a tuning parameter to bring systems to a quantum critical (end) point. A state-of-the-art experimental set-up for heat capacity measurements at high magnetic field up to 35 T and very low temperature down to 100 mK will be built to achieve the project goals. Ultimately, this technique will become available to the European scientific community via an access to the Grenoble High Magnetic Field Laboratory, a European user facility and the host laboratory for the project.

Through the completion of the project, the applicant will acquire a broad range of scientific and technical abilities while establishing herself in the field of condensed matter research corresponding to her interests. The training and visibility thus gained will promote the professional maturity and insertion of the applicant on her path to become an independent researcher. In turn, the research will be beneficial to the host institution and will contribute to the advancement of European science. It will add considerably to our knowledge and understanding of the newly emerging physics of quantum phase transitions."